The first time I heard of the band was either in an edition of Kerrrap magazine, or on an episode of Headbangers Ball – or both – who knows? They were formed in my adopted home city of Ottawa in ’84, and it wasn’t until the recording of this album that the line up had stabilized somewhat. Fun fact – they are the most successful thrash group in Canadian history, having sold over three million albums! Although this sounds like a band, it’s just a vehicle for guitarist extraordinaire Jeff Waters to show his talents. Not only a great guitar player, but he writes a mean tune as well.
After the nice acoustic intro of Crystal Ann, we are introduced to the title track and what a blistering track it is. A great riff, thundering beat, and a cool chorus. This should keep you bouncing rounded the house until you play the next track, W.T.Y.D., which funnily enough, keeps the double kick seriously moving. It’s marked down as thrash, but it’s definitely speed metal in my book. The pace and riffs carry on into the awesome next track, Wicked Mystic. This track has a killer middle section. By now the dandruff should be loose and a neck brace required. Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade is the last track on Side 1, and again, the pace does not drop and could be the most aggressive track yet.
Over to Side 2 we go with Word Salad, a more traditional paced metal song with a killer riff – until the pedals go to the metal and away we go again. The pace goes even faster on Schizo’s – it’s as though they have had the handbrake on until now. A very Metallica sounding Ligea is next, and is candidate for best track on the album. It goes from standard chuggas to super speed in a flick of a drumstick. So we get to the final track, Human Insecticide, and it’s as though we have to be home by ten, the pace is relentless.
I will change my mind about saying this was a speed metal album, this is most definitely a THRASH album and a bloody good one at that.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
